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M. BROWNOLD.

, KEYBOARD ATTACHMENT. Nc. 469,647. Patented Feb. 23, 1892.

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M. BROWNOLD. KEYBOARD ATTACHMENT. No. 469,647'. Patented Feb. 23, 1892.

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M. BROWNOLD.

KEYBOARD ATTACHMENT. No. 469,647. Patented Feb. 23, 1892.

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M. BROWNOLD.

KEYBOARD ATTACHMENT. No. 469,647. Patented Fab..2-3, 1892.

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KEYBOARD ATTACHMENT. y' No. 469,647. Patented Peb. 23, 1892.

ATTORNEYS.

t UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.l

MAXIMILLIAN BROWNOLD, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

KEY-BOARD` ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,647, dated February 23, 1892.

Application filed October 7, 1891. Serial No. 407,972. (No model.)

.T aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXIMILLIAN BROWN- oLD, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Key-Board Attachment, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to musical instruments, such as grand and upright pianos, organs, and the like; and its object is to provide a new and improved key-board attachment which permits of playing on the keys required or called for by the key in which the music to be performed is written, while the remaining keys are locked and rendered mu te, and which also permits of using the instrument in the usual manner without restriction as to the use of any of the keys, wheneverdesired.

The invention consists of a locking device for each key, a mechanism forsimultaneously locking the correspon ding keys o the several octaves, and a pedal-action for simultaneously unlocking all the locking devices for the keys.

The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as

verse section of the same as applied. Fig. 3 1s a front view of the same. Fig. et is an inverted plan view of theimprovement. Fig. 5

is a like View of the same in a different position. Fig. 6 is an inverted plan View of the mechanism for unlocking all the locking devices silnultaneously from the pedal. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the stud connection. Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of the same on the line 8 S of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

The musical instrument on which the improvement is applied is provided with the usual key-board frame A, on which are arranged the keys B in the usual manner, the said keys being pivoted at B and guided at their front ends on pins B2, projecting upward from the key-board frame A. The rear ends of the keys B are connectedin the usual manner with the action of the instrument.

Under the front end of each key B is arranged a locking device for locking` the key in an uppermost position, so as to prevent its being pressed or played on by the operator. Each locking device consists, preferably, ot' an arm O, pivoted on a plate O', attached to the top of the key-board frame A, as is plainly shown in the drawings. The pivoted arm C can be swung into a vertical position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, or in a horizontal position, the said arm then resting iiat on the top of the key-board frame, as is also shown in t-he said figure. Thon the arm O is in ahorizontal position, its respective key can be played on in the usual manner; but when the said arm O is thrown into a vertical position its upper free end rests on the under side ot' the key, so that the latter cannot be pressed or played upon. Each pivoted arm O is pivotally connected with a rod D, extending transversely and having its inner end attached to a stud E by means of a set-screw E', which permits of conveniently adjusting the said rod on the said stud until the desired position is reached. The stud E is formed on its under side with a cylindrical shank E2, and with a head E3, as is plainly illustrated in Figs. '7, S, and t). rlhe shank E"2 of each stud E engages an angular slot F, formed in a plate F,

attached to a longitudinally-extending bar G,

mounted to slide longitudinally in a bearing 1l, formed or secured on the top of the keyboard frame A. rlhe corresponding keys of each octave have their locking devices connected with the same bar G, so that the several locking devices ot' the corresponding key in the several octaves are acted on simultaneously when the corresponding bar G is moved longitudinally, as hereinafter more fully described. The head E3 of each stud E extends transversely in a groove H', formed in a bar H2, being part of the bearing H. The stud E, when moved by the longitudinal sliding of the plate F, is forced to travel transversely by its head E3 traveling in the groove H. As shown in the drawings, two bars G are arranged in one bearing H,the said bars, however, sliding independently of each other.

In order to prevent the two bars G from ICO acciden tally rising in the bearings, transverse guide-blocks H4 are provided, secured to longitudinal strips H3, located between and dividing or separating the two bars G.

Each of the bars G is provided with a downwardly-extending arm I, passing through a slot A in the key-board frame A, the lower end of each arm I being rigidly connected with a bar J, each mounted to slide in a suitable bearing K, formed or secured on the under side of the key-board frame A. The bars J are arranged to slide longitudinally and are prevented from becoming detached from their bearings by cross-bars or loops K', forming a support for the bars and permitting the same to slide longitudinally.

On the outer end of each bar J is secured a head J', formed with an incline J2, adapted to be engaged by a correspondingly-shaped incline L, arranged on a head L2, forming part of a rod L, extending transversely and mounted to slide in suitable bearings attached to the under side of the key-board frame A. The front ends ofthe rods L are provided with finger-pieces N within convenient reach of the performer, so as to be pulled to actuate the locking devices, as hereinafter more fully described. Each finger-.piece N is marked with the name ofthe key it represents, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 3. As shown in the said figure, the twelve finger-pieces represent the twelve tones of each octave. l

Each of the bars J or its arm I is connected with a rod O, attached to a spring O', held on the under side of the key-board frame A, and serving to return the respective bar J and the parts connected with it to a normal position, when the respective rod L is pushed inward into a normal position, as shown in Fig. 4. When in this position, the several locking devices have their arms C extending vertically, so that the keys B cannot be played upon and the instrument is mute. Whena finger-piece N is pulled outward, then the, respective rod L engagesv with its incline L the corresponding incline J2 of the respective rod J, so that the latter is shifted longitudinally, imparting,

`by means of its arm I, a like motion to the rod G, carrying the several plates F, and the Wgbmlatter, by their angular slots FV', pull the studs E transversely, so that the rods D move the arms C into a horizontal position, thus unlocking the respective keys of the same tone in the several octaves. Thus if'the operator, for instance, desires to play a piece of music written'in C major, he pulls the linger-pieces N,f'(marked C, D, E, F, G,A, and 13,) whereby all thel corresponding keys in the several octaves are unlocked and can be played upon. The other keys, representing all theA flats and sharps, remain locked by the respective lock ing device. lNow if in playing the performer should touch one of the locked keys it will remain mute, as it cannot be depressed, and consequently the performer will at once notice that he has touched the wrong key. When the piece of music is finished and the operator desires to again lock all the keys, he presses theinger-piecesN inward until they assume their normal positions, the inclines L moving opposite the inclines J2, so that the lsprings O return the bars J to their normal position, whereby the arms I move the bars G into the normal position. The angular slots F in the plates F, attached to the bars G, act on the studs E andmove the same outward, so that the rods D push on the arms C and move the same into a vertical position under the respective keys. The latter are then again locked.

In order to enable the performer to make use of all the keys whenever he desires to do so, the following device is provided, a pedalaction beingintroduced for accomplishingthe desired result. The armsI project below the several bars J and are arranged in two diagonal parallel rows, as is plainly shown in Fig.

6, each row being adapted to be engaged by V` shaped notches P2, formed in bars P and P', mounted to slide in suitable fixed guideways attached to the under side of the frame, adapted to be pressed apart by cams Q and Q', mounted to turn on pivots Q2, attached.

to the under side of the key-board frame A, between the inner ends of the two sets of longitudinal bars J. The two cams Q and Q are connected with each other by parallel links Q2, so that when one cam is turned the other receives a like motion. On theunder side of the innermost cam Q is attached an arm R, projecting rearward and adapted to be engaged by the free end of a lever S, arranged vertically and pivoted at its lower end at Son a suitable block or other support. v

The lever S is provided with an arm YS2, adapted to be pressed on by a pedal T under the control of the operators foot and arranged in such a manner that when pressed on at the front the rear end presses on the arm S2, so as to swing the lever S -to one side. The free end of the lever S then presses on thearm R, which latter turns the cam Q out of its normal position, as shown in Fig. 5, into the posion shown in Fig. 6, the other cam Q moving with the said cam Q by the parallel links Q2. When the two camsQ and Q" move into this position, they press the two bars P and P apart, so that a longitudinal sliding motion is given to the bars J and a correspondingr sliding longitudinal motion to the bars G. Thus it will be seen that all the barsJ and G are moved simultaneously, thebars G,by their plates F, acting on the studs E, so that the rods L pull on the pivoted arms C and throw the same into a horizontal position, thus unlocking all the keys at once. As soon as the operator releases the pressure on the pedal 'l the springs O return the several bars J *tok IOS IIO

ment is very useful for beginners who have to practice in a certain key, as only those keys of the key-board are unlocked which belong to that key. In case the p upil touches the Wrong key no sound emanates'from the instrument, as the said key is not depressed and the action connected Wit-h it is not set in motion. Hence the performer knows instantly that he touched the Wrong key. Beginners are very liable to press two adjacent keys at the same time with one iin ger. Now it this happens, the wrongly-touched key prevents further downward movement of the finger, and consequently the correct or adj acent key is not pressed or played. Great accuracy in touch can thus be acquired in a very short time.

The several finger-pieces N when pulled outward unlock all the keys in the key-board, so that the instrument can be played on in the usual manner Without interference by the attachment. Again, the several keys of the key-board can be unlocked simultaneously by the use ot the pedal-action, as above described.

Allaving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A key-board attachment provided with a series of locking devices for the keys, each being adapted to engage a keyto prevent the latter from being manipulated, substantially as shown and described. w

2. A key-board attachment provided with a series of connected locking devices for corresponding keys in the several octaves, the said locking devicesbeing arranged to lock the keys simultaneously to prevent them from being manipulated, substantially as shown and described.

S. A key-board attachment provided with a series of locking devices for the keys and a pedal-action connected with the said locking devices to engage the latter with the keys to prevent the latter from being manipulated, substantially as shown and described.

4. A key-board attachment comprising sets of locking devices for the keys, each set connecting with the corresponding keys in the several octavos, and a mechanism for each set of locking devices to move the same in engagement with their keys to prevent the latter from being manipulated, substantially as shown and described.

5. A key-board attachment comprising.,r a locking device for each key, longitudinal sliding bars for actuating the said locking devices to lock or unlock the keys, and means, substantially as described, for controlling the movement of the said longitudinal bars, as set forth.

6. A key-board attachment comprising a locking device for each key and longitudinal sliding bars for actuating the said locking devices to lock and unlock the keys, each bar being connected with such of said locking devices as belong to corresponding keys in the several octavos, substantially as shown and described.

7. A key-board attachment comprising a locking device for each key, longitudinal slid. ing spring-pressed bars for actuating the said locking device, and a pedal-action for simultaneously actuating the said bars to actuate the said locking devices to unlock all the keys iu the instrument, substantially as shown and described.

S. In a key-board attachment, the combination, With a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of a rod pivotally connected with the said arm, a stud rigidly connected with the said arm, and a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angulaislot engaging the said stud, substantially as shown and described.

S). In a key-board attachment, the combination, with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the tree end of the keys, of a rod pivotally connected with the said arm, a stud rigidly connected with the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angular slot engaging the said stud, and a transverse guide for the said stud, substantially as shown and described.

' IO. In a key-board attachment, the combination,with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of a rod pivotally connected with the said arm, a stud rigidly connected with the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angular slot engaging the said stud, a transverse guide for the said stud, and a bar mounted to slide longitudinally and carrying a series of said plates to actuate a number of the said pivoted arms, substantially as shown and described.

ll. In a key-board attachment, the combination, with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of a rod pivotally connected with the said arm, a stud rigidly connected With the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angular slot engaging the said stud, a transverse guide for the said stud, a bar mounted to slide longitudinally and carrying aseries of said plates to actuate a number ot' the said pivoted arms, and means, substantially as described, for imparting a longitudinal sliding motion to the said bar, as set forth.

I2. In a key-board attachment, the combination, with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of a rod pivotally connected With the said arm, a stud rigidly connected With the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed With an angular slot engaging the said stud, a transverse guide for the said stud, a bar mounted to slide longitudinally and carrying a series of said plates to actuate a number of the said pivoted arms, an arm extending from the said bar, a second bar connected With the said arm and formed with an incline, and a transversely-sliding rod formed with an incline adapted to engage the incline on the said second bar, substantially as shown and described.

lOO

13. In a key-board attachment, the combination,.with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of a rod piv- Yotally connected with the said arm, a stud rigidly connected with the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angular slot engaging the said stud, a transverse guide for the said stud, a bar mounted to slide 1ongitudinally and carrying a series of said plates to actuate a number ofthe said pivoted arms, an arm extendingfromthesaidbar,asecondbar connected with the said arm and formed with an incline, a transversely-sliding rod formed with an incline adapted to engage the incline on the said second bar, and a marked fingerpiece attached to the said rod and indicating the corresponding keys in the several octaves to be locked or unlocked by the locking devices, substantially as shown and described.

14.-. In a key-board attachment, the combination, with a pivot'ed arm adapted to lock or unlock the free end of the keys, of arod pivotally connected with the said arm .astudrig idly connected with the said arm, a plate mounted to slide and formed with an angular slot engaging the said stud, atransverse guide for the said stud, a bar mounted to slide 1ongitudinally and carrying a series of said plates to actuate a number of the said pivoted arms, an arm extending from the said bar, a second bar connected with the said arm and formedl with an incline, a transversely-sliding rod formed with an incline adapted to engage the incline on the saidisecond bar, and a spring connected with the said second bar for returning the same to a normal position, substantially as shown and described.

15. In a key-board attachment, the combination, Wit-ha pedal, of a lever adapted to be actuated by the said pedal, cams connected with each other by parallel links and adapted to be actuated from the saidlever, rods adapted to be acted on by the said cams, bars provided with arms adapted to be engaged by the said rods, and locking devices controlled from the said bars and adapted to unlock the keys of the key-board, substantially as shownl and described.

16. In a key-board attachment, the combination, with a pivoted arm adapted to lock or unlock a key, of a rod pivotally connected with the said arm, a stud adapted to be secured yon the said rod and formed with a shank in the head, a plate provided with angular slots engaging the said shank, a bar mounted y to slide longitudinally and carrying the said plate, and a guideway for the said bar formed with a transverse slot engaged by the head of said stud to guide the latter transversely When acted on by the said angular plate, substantially as shown and described.

MAXIMILLIAN BROVNOL.

Witnesses:

THEO. G. HosTER, E. M. CLARK. 

